I've been told I can be an aggressive driver at times. Frankly, I don't think I'm aggressive at all; I'm proactive instead of reactive.
Here's the thing: Defensive driving (aggressive to some) is a good way to keep yourself, and your car, off a flatbed. I was never told to drive this way, nor was I taught when I learned how to drive, took courses, and took my test. Some might associate my driving style with the city in which I live (which is known for its “aggressive” nature on the road).
And again, I'd stipulate that I drive this way to keep myself out of harm's way.
How do I figure that? Well, the perfect example would be my mother (sorry mum): She's an extremely timid driver. She's reactive and not defensive at all. She hesitates before she executes a maneuvre, second-guesses herself and often changes her mind halfway through a move. She's not confident behind the wheel. And that's fine; many drivers aren't. However, her reactive techniques mean she's had more than her fair share of accidents.
I'm not saying she's a bad driver, but she could be much better if she took a more defensive stance behind the wheel, a more confident one.
When I'm behind the wheel, I'm constantly assessing the cars around me. Watching their positioning, calculating who will do what next. I'm not paranoid, I'm anticipating. I'm proactively ensuring I am where I need to be and judging situations based on that.
Not enough drivers do that, and it's extremely clear.
Even something as simple as changing lanes can become suddenly dangerous if not executed correctly. Short of actually checking your mirrors and blind spots (something not enough drivers do either, sadly), there's the timing of it all. Something as simple as having a bit of speed to prevent the driver you are entering in front of slamming on his brakes to maintain the flow of traffic is a good skill to acquire.
I am not aggressive on the road, however, I do look out for my own interests. I'm also not afraid to let you know when you've done something wrong (read: honk or flash my lights). I don't have rage issues, but I do get incensed when drivers do not consider those around them (another skill of a defensive driver).
Reactive drivers only “react” when it's too late, hence the accidents. My proactive approach ensures I see the moves that will cause my demise before they even occur -- something I wish they could, and would teach in driver's ed. Sure, a quick reaction time in general is a good thing, but when that reaction is in vane (and could have been prevented two or three moves ahead on the road), it becomes too little too late.
How can you become a proactive, defensive driver? Look beyond your bumpers and really see the trafic around you. Watch how cars that are about to change lanes generally start to drift towards the lane they wish to move to before they even turn their signal on (if at all). Pay attention to driving habits (constant braking, rapid acceleration, darting in and out of traffic), and you'll quickly learn that drivers are rather predictable.
And always, above all else, avoid beige Corollas.
Here's the thing: Defensive driving (aggressive to some) is a good way to keep yourself, and your car, off a flatbed. I was never told to drive this way, nor was I taught when I learned how to drive, took courses, and took my test. Some might associate my driving style with the city in which I live (which is known for its “aggressive” nature on the road).
And again, I'd stipulate that I drive this way to keep myself out of harm's way.
How do I figure that? Well, the perfect example would be my mother (sorry mum): She's an extremely timid driver. She's reactive and not defensive at all. She hesitates before she executes a maneuvre, second-guesses herself and often changes her mind halfway through a move. She's not confident behind the wheel. And that's fine; many drivers aren't. However, her reactive techniques mean she's had more than her fair share of accidents.
I'm not saying she's a bad driver, but she could be much better if she took a more defensive stance behind the wheel, a more confident one.
When I'm behind the wheel, I'm constantly assessing the cars around me. Watching their positioning, calculating who will do what next. I'm not paranoid, I'm anticipating. I'm proactively ensuring I am where I need to be and judging situations based on that.
Not enough drivers do that, and it's extremely clear.
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Even something as simple as changing lanes can become suddenly dangerous if not executed correctly. Short of actually checking your mirrors and blind spots (something not enough drivers do either, sadly), there's the timing of it all. Something as simple as having a bit of speed to prevent the driver you are entering in front of slamming on his brakes to maintain the flow of traffic is a good skill to acquire.
I am not aggressive on the road, however, I do look out for my own interests. I'm also not afraid to let you know when you've done something wrong (read: honk or flash my lights). I don't have rage issues, but I do get incensed when drivers do not consider those around them (another skill of a defensive driver).
Reactive drivers only “react” when it's too late, hence the accidents. My proactive approach ensures I see the moves that will cause my demise before they even occur -- something I wish they could, and would teach in driver's ed. Sure, a quick reaction time in general is a good thing, but when that reaction is in vane (and could have been prevented two or three moves ahead on the road), it becomes too little too late.
How can you become a proactive, defensive driver? Look beyond your bumpers and really see the trafic around you. Watch how cars that are about to change lanes generally start to drift towards the lane they wish to move to before they even turn their signal on (if at all). Pay attention to driving habits (constant braking, rapid acceleration, darting in and out of traffic), and you'll quickly learn that drivers are rather predictable.
And always, above all else, avoid beige Corollas.